[Anonymous]

I have 5 years experiance bouncing around accounting,audit,quasi-financial analyst type roles and obtained my cpa license in 2012. Am currently making 62k in St paul Minnesota as financial analyst 2(low hours,low visibility, with a crappy manager position). I have just been offered a 76k staff accountant position in Seattle with a top 3 tech company. The position sounds very intresting and it’s a tough company to get into but my research indicates the company doesn’t have the best work-life balance and people leave after couple of years of getting their name on the resume. The offered position does not offer relocation package, but the signing bonus covers most of the potential moving expenses.

Am 31 years old, married with two kids and am conflicted on this, on one hand i can’t stand my job anymore and i feel like i have regressed since i have been here (extremely mindless work with an annoying and controlling supervisor). But am not so sure about taking a staff accountant role after 5 years of experiance and a cpa license (albeit only one year of quality role on my resume)

Please share your opinion if the offer i stated above is desirable enough to move half-way accross the country for with my current situation.

[Anonymous]

@ fuzyfro89 Amazon.

You have some good points, I should have clarified in my original post but am not opposed to relocating neither is my wife. We are not originally from MN, moved here about 10 years ago and we both finally got tired of the brutal winters. We have family and friends here, but the roots aren't that deep.Seattle is one of about three cities we agreed on and I got this offer few weeks after starting the job search.

From my research, cost of living is higher in Seattle (especially housing) but somewhat offset by the lack of state tax. The Only downside is the hustle of moving and leaving my current 5 minute commute, but what is comfort without growth or significant earnings?

My dilemma is wether to take this offer, which sounds like a very good role that works with many finance and accounting orgs within the company or keep looking and hope to land a more senior role elsewhere. I have no intention of staying with my current company long term for many of the reasons you mentioned. Also, I graduated in 2009 in the midst of the worst recession and was lucky to land a 39k job in the accounting field I majored in which also allowed my to study for the exam in my downtime and fulfill the requirement, I got licensed in 2012 and have raised my income by over 50% in two years and intend to do the same in the next couple of years with hard work.

You might need some perspective on the ” I wouldn't get out of bed for 62k” btw..There are plenty of folks in today's economy who would be happy with it, including cpas. Not sure where you are but its OK living here in the Midwest.

[jlondon]

Well, one thing comes to my mind. Tax deduction for moving expense (haha I'm studying REG section right now).

But to your question, if you hate your job, you should definitely change. Do things you like. Having this stressful job can cause more problems (stress, bad moods, then might lead to more problems, health issues).. Seriously, do what you love, or want to do.

I really hate studying for this CPA exam.. but I don't know why I continue… I guess sometimes in order to get from point A to C, you have to go through hell in B to get to C. I'm thinking once I get my cpa license, I'm going to start my own business working with dogs or something.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[jlondon]

Well, one thing comes to my mind. Tax deduction for moving expense (haha I'm studying REG section right now).

But to your question, if you hate your job, you should definitely change. Do things you like. Having this stressful job can cause more problems (stress, bad moods, then might lead to more problems, health issues).. Seriously, do what you love, or want to do.

I really hate studying for this CPA exam.. but I don't know why I continue… I guess sometimes in order to get from point A to C, you have to go through hell in B to get to C. I'm thinking once I get my cpa license, I'm going to start my own business working with dogs or something.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[I Got This]

Personally, I would move to Seattle. You have better pay, career advancement, maybe better benefits (health, dental, vision, 401(k)), Pacific Ocean, maybe better school systems, meet new people, no more of your old job issues, your wife supports your move. Some issues: Kids moving to new schools (Depends on their age of course), CPA license transfer costs to Washington state, selling your house/apartment.

Don't worry about the resume builder thing, the only way you are going to like it, is if you try. A lot of things can happen in 2 years. Seattle is a big city, if you don't like the new job 2 years down the road, then there should be other accounting jobs in the area.

I understand that you graduated in 2009. Congratulations on that and finding a job in such a tough economy. Since 2009 the economy has changed, still not good, but people out of college are making abt 45-55k average. I graduated in 2013 in ACC, have one year experience and recently passed the CPA exam. I'm making around mid 50's just starting off, and this is in Cleveland, of all places.

You have 5 years of experience, a degree, and the CPA…you are totally worth more than 62k a year.

We can do this. It is a difficult journey, but it'll feel wonderful once we are done. Then at that time, we'll reap in all the benefits.

[I Got This]

Personally, I would move to Seattle. You have better pay, career advancement, maybe better benefits (health, dental, vision, 401(k)), Pacific Ocean, maybe better school systems, meet new people, no more of your old job issues, your wife supports your move. Some issues: Kids moving to new schools (Depends on their age of course), CPA license transfer costs to Washington state, selling your house/apartment.

Don't worry about the resume builder thing, the only way you are going to like it, is if you try. A lot of things can happen in 2 years. Seattle is a big city, if you don't like the new job 2 years down the road, then there should be other accounting jobs in the area.

I understand that you graduated in 2009. Congratulations on that and finding a job in such a tough economy. Since 2009 the economy has changed, still not good, but people out of college are making abt 45-55k average. I graduated in 2013 in ACC, have one year experience and recently passed the CPA exam. I'm making around mid 50's just starting off, and this is in Cleveland, of all places.

You have 5 years of experience, a degree, and the CPA…you are totally worth more than 62k a year.

We can do this. It is a difficult journey, but it'll feel wonderful once we are done. Then at that time, we'll reap in all the benefits.

[Anonymous]

@Study Monk

Your not alone 🙂 lol

[Anonymous]

@Study Monk

Your not alone 🙂 lol

[fuzyfro89]

It's great that your wife/family is on board with whatever you choose. That is a key factor that could not be more valuable. Not sure exactly what you're looking for in your original post, but you mentioned more money and better experience at the new job, with the downside being less work life balance. I understand if work/life balance is important to you, since not everyone wants to work 50-75 hours a week during peaks.

Even if you “break even” the first year after taking this job based on a higher cost of living and moving expenses, how much is better work experience worth to you in the medium term (i.e. 3-5 years). The first year may be a wash, but every year after that you come out way ahead! Having some good experience at a job that gives you great experience may help you land something in a few years that gives you less stress but still offers progression and visibility. What are the other downsides that you see in taking the new position?

Btw, 2009 was a terrible year to graduate. I can only imagine your pain. I graduated in 2011 and it was definitely better, since all the firms had layoffs and cut their hiring to the bone, but firms still had their pick with so many grads and not enough positions. I remember talking to managers when I worked at Big 4, and in the local office I think offers were around $50K base in 2008 and had only gone up slightly to $52K in the fall 2013 start class. My point was that YOU ARE WORTH WAY MORE THAN $62K! You don't have to work crazy hours forever either. It's all about getting some solid experience so that you have more options. Having options forces employers to pay you a premium to stay since you have a skill set that's not easy to replace.

Good luck on whatever you decide! And remember, if you're not so keen on this one, then keep at it. I'm sure that within 6 mo-1 yr you can definitely find something else if this one doesn't seem to be what you're looking for. $76K on a offer in the first few weeks of job hunting? Dude, you're a boss!

[fuzyfro89]

It's great that your wife/family is on board with whatever you choose. That is a key factor that could not be more valuable. Not sure exactly what you're looking for in your original post, but you mentioned more money and better experience at the new job, with the downside being less work life balance. I understand if work/life balance is important to you, since not everyone wants to work 50-75 hours a week during peaks.

Even if you “break even” the first year after taking this job based on a higher cost of living and moving expenses, how much is better work experience worth to you in the medium term (i.e. 3-5 years). The first year may be a wash, but every year after that you come out way ahead! Having some good experience at a job that gives you great experience may help you land something in a few years that gives you less stress but still offers progression and visibility. What are the other downsides that you see in taking the new position?

Btw, 2009 was a terrible year to graduate. I can only imagine your pain. I graduated in 2011 and it was definitely better, since all the firms had layoffs and cut their hiring to the bone, but firms still had their pick with so many grads and not enough positions. I remember talking to managers when I worked at Big 4, and in the local office I think offers were around $50K base in 2008 and had only gone up slightly to $52K in the fall 2013 start class. My point was that YOU ARE WORTH WAY MORE THAN $62K! You don't have to work crazy hours forever either. It's all about getting some solid experience so that you have more options. Having options forces employers to pay you a premium to stay since you have a skill set that's not easy to replace.

Good luck on whatever you decide! And remember, if you're not so keen on this one, then keep at it. I'm sure that within 6 mo-1 yr you can definitely find something else if this one doesn't seem to be what you're looking for. $76K on a offer in the first few weeks of job hunting? Dude, you're a boss!

[Author]

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